No comments about American Songbook Series: Jerome Kern.

1 comments about The Prestige Records Story.

1. 
   
   A diverse, thrilling selection of music is contained here...it definitely made me curious to check individual titles from the artists contained in this 4-CD set.

5 comments about Vee-Jay: The Definitive Collection.

1. Even with the Twist missing from CD 2 (which Shout cheerfully replaced) this box set is 5 stars. So many great songs, so many I have never previously heard and such a diverse variety of styles, Blues ,Doo Wop R&B, Gospel even a surf instrumental. Great packaging. Lets face it, if you are into box sets your into booklets and packaging. A lot of thought has gone into the presentation of this box from the colour coded informative booklet to the Jewel cases. In my opinion only one track on the set is a dud every other is choice. I beleive this is one of the best produced Box sets available.



2. This box set is a very good collection of Vee-Jay blues, early soul, doo-wop, and gospel, but watch out for a defective disk 2 which on my purchase and replacement was missing track 12 ("The Twist" by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters). Amazon was quite cooperative, however, and eventually I received a correct disk 2 from the producer (Shout).



3. You're in a smoky, rundown dive bar. You know, the kind that's near a bus station, hasn't had a woman in it since 1957 and is called something like the Frolic Room or the Tick Tock. Sound good to you? Well, this box set is the jukebox in the joint.
   
   Yup, there are a lot of great tracks here. The sequencing reinforces the somewhat scattershot nature of Vee-Jay though; rather than having a house-sound like, say, Stax or Chess, Vee-Jay covered several genres. The result is a mishmash of different styles, sounds, and attitudes. It's not a bad thing...just don't expect a highly focused experience. Just like that old jukebox under the buzzing neon beer sign, no?
   
   Be sure to check Disc 2 carefully if you buy this set. As mentioned by earlier reviewers, "The Twist" may be missing. If you contact Shout Factory corporate customer service (NOT the customer service for their online store) they will send you a replacement disc without any hassles--at least they did so for me. It's nice that Shout Factory has made it easy to obtain corrected discs.
   
   Bottom line: not an essential set but good for anybody who already has the basic building blocks in their blues, R&B, soul, and gospel collections. Also good for collectors who are into cover versions due to the inclusion of the originals of "Tainted Love" and "You're No Good", among others. The book is decently put together but could have included a lot more info about both songs and artists.



4. My original review of this set included a complaint that the song, The Twist, was missing. Just wasn't on the disc even though it was in the track listing and in the note. I checked AMG and their samples had the same problem my disc had. After I whined about this in my review I emailed Shout! Factory to complain to them. I got a nice email back from them and within a week I got a new copy of disc two sent to me in the mail. Excellent customer service and not what I was expecting which was to be ignored. I commend them for that.
   
   I have the Bear Family Blowin' the Fuse set of R and B songs from 1946-1960 which also has Hank Ballard doing the Twist. That version is very close to the Chubby Checker version and I assume it was the model for the Chubby Checker version. The version on this disc is very different from those two with a very different rhythm structure. I think this was the first version. Nice to have all three.
   
   Beyond that song, this is a nice box, sequenced well, fun to listen to, heavy on the Jimmy Reed as it should be. I would have included my favorite Jimmy Reed song, Shame Shame Shame, with some of that extra cd space that Mike mentions in his review.
   
   The package is nice. There are notes on each song, similar to the notes in the Bear Family collection. Nice to have. I have no complaints about the package, but I wouldn't call it "gorgeous". That reviewer loses alot of credibility with his raving. My standard for a gorgeous box set package would be the Revenant boxes for Charlie Patton and Albert Ayler or maybe the deluxe limited edition of the Forever Changing Elektra collection.
   
   So I'm happy with this and you will be too if you like this type of music or just want to start exploring the old stuff. Thanks for the new disc, Michael.
   
   Unfortunately, while the Amazon system let me update my review, it wouldn't let me change my rating. I'd go four to five stars on this now, but the system won't let me change that.



5. David D. (reviewer below) obviously works for Shout Factory! as every single review by him is 5 stars for a Shout Factory! product (including the "Hootenany" dvd set!)
   
   Track selection is nice but missing a few (didn't expect nor need the Beatles). Just dissapointed that only 22 songs or so per disc when most all of these songs are 2 1/2 minute R&B numbers. Hopefully the price will come down a little bit as $53 is too much money for a four disc box set in this day and age. Maybe shout factory will release some extended 1 disc sets of some of these great, but somewhat forgotten, R&B stars.

1 comments about The Classic Early Recordings: 51-56.

1. If you are a fan of the Blues and particularly Elmore James, this is a must have! Just buy it and enjoy!!

5 comments about Boom Boom.

1. Hooker doesn't play by the rules, and that distinguishes him from most other blues players. His style is raw and gritty, with his right foot stomping. I was only getting to know Hooker when I got this CD, and I was seruiously surprised by the songs where it's just his guitar and his voice: "I'm Bad Like Jesse James", "Sugar Mama", "Hittin' the Bottle Again", and "Thought I Heard". He's clearly not afraid of the imperfections, and that makes these raw guitar-only blues so real. The first time I heard a track like "I'm Bad Like Jesse James" or "Sugar Mama", I was shocked. I listened to it many more times, and the more I listened, the more I loved there blues.

   The only problem with some of Hooker's recordings is that there's not enough Hooker on them. His vocals are always there, but I am real hungry for his unmistakable guitar. More often than not on his most recent recordings, he lets his collaborators take the front seat with their guitar (i.e., Robert Cray, Jimmy Vaughan, Carlos Santana, Morrison, etc). I thought that Healer, which a seriously excellent Hooker disk, was more main-stream, for the masses, which made Hooker more popular. But THIS disk, Boom Boom, is about as real and raw as Hooker gets on his recent recordings. That being said, if you are a Hooker novice, Healer or Don't Look Back are the best CDs to start with. After that, you should be more ready for this disk. For fans, this disk is a must.

   I like many tracks on this CD, so it's tough to choose a favorite. I'd have to pick from two different styles used on this CD. One style - with a several-piece band, more "blues-as-you-know-it" style. Other style - just Hooker and his guitar. As the song with the band, I'd choose "I Ain't Gonna Suffer No More" because, while with the band, it's got the most of Hooker on it. His vocals got fire in them, his guitar is rough and raw and right by his side. As the song alone, I'd choose "Thought I Heard". The only other person playing on this song is Charlie Musselwhile on harmonica, which only adds to the strange wild-west mystery of this song. Excellent track. Sugar Mama is also an excellent, excellent alone track. Same Old Blues Again is very appropriated named - it's just about same old blues. The casual, rolling blues as you know them. The highlight of that song is Cray's nice long solo.

   This disk isn't main-stream, as I said above. It's somewhat of an acquired taste if you are new to Hooker. If you already know Hooker, you'll love it. If you don't know much of his work yet, start with "Don't Look Back" or "Healer". The former is mostly a collaboration with Van Morrison and is an excellent piece of work - Hooker's last CD before his passing. The latter has a host of different guests on it.




2. John Lee Hooker provided some early memorable historic cuts but this album does not include any. The Healer was a milestone in his revival, Mr Lucky less so and this followup album loses even more of that impact. The album has guests: Robert Cray, Albert Collins, Charlie Musselwhite and John Hammond among others. The only tracks which approach being memorable are 'Same old blues' and 'Boogie at Russian hill'. This album is not often played from my collection.



3. There is a Pointblank/Charisma CD titled Boom Boom. Its tracklist differs from the K-Tel CD by the same name. Some of the other reviews refer to it instead of the K-Tel release based on the references to song titles. It includes 1.Boom Boom 2. I'm Bad Like Jesse James 3. Same Old Blues Again 4. Sugar Mama 5. Trick Bag (Shoppin' For My Tombstone) 6. Boogie at Russian Hill 7. Hittin' The Bottle Again 8. Bottle Up and Go 9. Thought I Heard 10. I Ain't Gonna Suffer No More. Don't be misled by those reviews into thinking the K-Tel release is better than it is.



4. Anyone who knows Hooker only from his mid-'80s and '90s albums knows absolutely nothing about him. While this is one of the better "modern" Hooker albums, minus most of the annoying guest appearances, this is not even remotely close to being prime Hooker. Everyone knows that (don't they?) Get the real thing. With few exceptions, the earlier the Hooker, the better; and the fewer musicians, the better.



5. This CD is raw basic blues delivered with John Lee's complicated guitar strokes and rythms. His use of silence leaves you hanging on the edge of your foot tap. The raw gritty sound of the revisited Jesse James cut gives this song an additional dark side. Bottle Up and Go has you dancing in your seat from the snappy acoustic begining. Boogie on Russian Hill inspires a house party. I highly recommend this album to anyone interested in getting to know Hooker's music and it is a must for a fan.

2 comments about On a Clear Day.

1. This album from Natalia Zukerman really showcases her songwriting ability. Athough it's not my favorite Zukerman album (see my review of Only One), it is nonetheless outstanding in its own right.
   
   It's filled with very intricate instrumentation and rich, multifaceted songs. Personally, I prefer to hear just Natalia and her awesome guitar playing (which do shine thru on some songs like Fool's Gold). Her songs are lyrically complex, and sometimes I felt overwhelmed by all the stuff going on in the songs so that it's hard to understand what she's singing about without reading along with the lyrics. But I recognize superb songwriting when I hear it, even when it's not easy to grasp on the first listen. You'll probably need to play this album 3 or 4 times before you get hooked.
   
   If you're new to Zukerman's work, I would recommend Only One as your first Zukerman album, unless you really dig rich, multilayered, multi-instrument arrangements with drums, in which case On A Clear Day should be your first choice.



2. natalia's music is not only well written and performed, it is food for the soul. anyone who likes folk, artists and music that makes them feel should definitly check it out.

No comments about Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order, Vol. 3, 1937-1939.

2 comments about Body and Soul.

1. If you like late Holiday, instead of this you should buy a double cd containing 3 originals LPs (Body and Soul, Songs for distingue lovers and All or nothing at all): All or Nothing at All



2. I still cant understand why they released this album as a verve master takes issue. Just a couple of years they released Songs for distingue lovers, in the verve master takes issue, which included already most of the tracks of 'Body and Soul'. And these master takes versions are rather pricy, so skip this and get Songs for distingue lovers.

No comments about Mr. Personality.

1 comments about Before The Blues: The Early American Black Music Scene, Vol. 2.

1. Oy, Vey!! This is it, kids. This here comp. contains some of the most heartstoppinly beautiful old music yer ears will wrap themselves lovingly around. Geeshie Wiley's "Last King Word Blues" will stop you dead cold in yer cosy, comfortable shoes, chilling stuff. or how about the unforgettable melody and sublime guitar of Peg Leg Howell's "Skin Game Blues". Get carried off by The Memphis Jug Ensamble's "KC Moan". The profound spiritual joy, arising out of desperation, in Golden P Harris' "I'll Lead a Christian Life". I could go on and on. Tommy McClennen. Frank Jenkins. How about Blind Lemon Jefferson's "Jack O'Diamonds" and the very similar "Reuben O Reuben" by Arthur Emery, very finely illustrating this comp.'s thesis; that is, the shared origins of blues and "hillbilly" music. The shared folk song traditions of poor black americans and poor white americans. The songs on this here compilation are represenetive of early blues and country. Which was The Foundation of Rock and Roll. Which was The Foundation of ALL pop music.So, ya see, this is where it "ALL" started. Yep, all of it. So get clued in, Children, and start here. NOW!